Buying A House Is Not As Easy As It Seems

BUYING A HOUSE IS NOT AS EASY AS IT SEEMS

  Everyone thinks buying a house is easy.  I can do it myself.  They said so online is what many buyers are thinking today.

With all the publicity about the NAR Settlements in the news, buyers are hearing all sorts of things.  They're thinking, We can go online and just buy a house. Who needs a buyer's agent? Let's call the listing agent.

After 20 years as a full-time Realtor and retired Court Reporter in Boca Raton, I'm here to tell you you need a buyer's agent.  More than you realize.   

You need a great buyer's agent. Why?

Because real estate is local.  It doesn't just happen as you see online or on TV.  They make it sound so easy.  Trust me, It's not!  

Stories of a Buyer's Agent

I'm going to share some real stories to show you why real estate is local and why you need a buyer's agent.  

The Story of the Memorial Gardens

Let's start with a recent one - the story of the Memorial Gardens. True story.   

I got a call from a buyer who had gotten a call from her friend.  Hurry, she told me, my friend said there are only a few lots left in the community.  This was new construction.  I told her buyer I'd handle it.

Full Disclosure - I already knew the answer before I called.  How?  Simple.  I've lived and worked in the Boca-Delray-Boynton area for 30 years.   I know the area well.   One look at a map and I had my answer.  

Trying to Get the Answer from the Salesperson

I called a builder to inquire about these remaining lots.  The salesperson (they are not agents or Realtors) began to tell me about the remaining lots.  They are on water, and the end one was the largest.  And there was $ 170,000 premium for this larger lot.

Because it was the last lot on the block and then a concrete wall, I asked the salesperson what was next to it.   Reasonable question, I thought.

I was told, "There's a berm, and it's nicely landscaped."

Okay, and then what?   What is next to the landscaping? "There is a wall," said the salesperson.

And then what?  What's there?  What is just south of the wall?   This was clearly a question they were not comfortable answering, but I pressed on.

"Well, there is a canal and a buffer." And then what?

"And then the Memorial Gardens," was the response.

"Memorial Gardens."   Oh, you mean the cemetery, I said.

"Yes, the cemetery," the salesperson finally said.  

Finally Got the Answer...And So It Goes

So there is a cemetery there, which I knew because I'd been to this cemetery, on the other side of the wall to these lots.

Now, this may or may not be okay with a buyer, but don't you think they have a right to know the cemetery is there before they spend a ton of money on a house?  I sure do!

Buyers may or may not be comfortable living next to a cemetery - some are okay with it, while others want no part of it. But, they have a right to know. And no one was offering up this information in terms a buyer could easily understand.  

How Would You Feel

How would you feel if you bought a house and weren't aware of the cemetery?  Think about it. 

The salesperson told you the Memorial Gardens were there.  You're excited about new construction.  You're looking at floor plans, cabinets, finishes, amenities.  Do you really think you'd stop in your tracks if they just mentioned memorial gardens?

Having built two homes - one in Boca and one in Delray - I can tell you I wouldn't have paid that close attention years ago.  

Buying a House Online

Let's take this a step further.  Let's take it online.

Do you think if you go online to buy a home someone is going to tell you that?  Someone is going to disclose a cemetery is on the other side of that wall?   They'll probably tell you the same thing - Memorial Gardens.   Sheesh, I had to drag it out of the salesperson - like pulling teeth.

Odds are the person helping you online may or may not live in the area.   They could be in another state. 

I have another story about going online for a mortgage, but we'll save that for another blog post.

So, back to buying a home online. 

How would you feel if you bought a home - spent a lot of money -  and found out there was a cemetery next to it, or as they call it  " Memorial Gardens?" Would that bother you?  

Why You Need a Buyer's Agent

A great buyer's agent is worth their weight in gold.  They're full-time agents, not part time.  They're educated, and they know their area well. 

They don't cover a three-hour span from Miami to Port St Lucie. They're local.

Why? 

Because real estate is local.  

Exclusive Buyer Broker Agreements

When you sign an Exclusive Buyer Broker Agreement, the buyer's agent works for you - the buyer.  It's the same as a seller signing a listing agreement.   Here the agent works for the seller.  With a buyer broker agreement, you have someone working for you.  

Pet-Friendly Buyer's Agent

If your life includes pets, then it's even more important to hire a buyer's agent, a pet-friendly buyer's agent. Why? Because our pets are family.  And they need to be welcome where you are - where you decide to buy a home - whatever type of home.

Just as in the case of the Memorial Gardens, you need correct information as to whether your pet will be welcome or not.

You're probably thinking, Any agent knows the answer to this. No, they do not!

Not all buyer's agents are created equal.  

Buying a House is a Big Investment

Buying a home is a big investment - whether you buy a house, condo, townhouse or villa.  Whether it's in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach or Highland Beach. Doesn't matter.  It's a big investment, so you'd better get it right.

You need the correct information, especially when it comes to your pets (and the location too!) Gee, I wonder if the online portals have read the documents?  And their amendments? Somehow I think not.  

In Summary

Buyer Beware! The nice salespeople who work for builders (and they are very nice) don't care where you buy.    They don't care about the location of your house or what you put in it.   Or what's located nearby.

Be smart - take a buyer's agent with you when you visit a builder or buy a resale.  Doesn't matter.

Do you need a buyer's agent?    Yes!  Why?  Because buying a house is not as easy as it seems.  

BUYING A HOUSE IS NOT AS EASY AS IT SEEMS

   Originally published on BuySellHomesBocaRaton.com